Outdoors

PHOTOS: Governor’s turkey hunt

Twelve-year-old Sydney Wooldridge won an essay contest that earned her a spot on this year's Governor's Turkey Hunt in El Dorado. She got more from the experience than just two nice turkeys. He guide was Melinda Duff. Michael PearceThe Wichita Eagle

Twelve-year-old Sydney Wooldridge, right, won an essay contest that earned her a spot on this year's Governor's Turkey Hunt in El Dorado. Melinda Duff, center, was her guide, Her father, Brian, brought her from Arizona. Michael PearceThe Wichita Eagle

Twelve-year-old Sydney Wooldridge, right, hugs her guide, Melinda Duff, after the girl from Arizona shot two turkeys Friday morning at the Governor's Turkey Hunt in El Dorado. Wooldridge earned a spot on the hunt by winning a national essay contest. She came with her father, Brian. Michael PearceThe Wichita Eagle

Twelve-year-old Sydney Wooldridge won an essay contest that earned her a spot on this year's Governor's Turkey Hunt in El Dorado. She got more from the experience than just two nice turkeys. Michael PearceThe Wichita Eagle

Twelve-year-old Sydney Wooldridge won an essay contest that earned her a spot on this year's Governor's Turkey Hunt in El Dorado. She got more from the experience than just two nice turkeys. Michael PearceThe Wichita Eagle

Twelve-year-old Sydney Wooldridge won an essay contest that earned her a spot on this year's Governor's Turkey Hunt in El Dorado. She got more from the experience than just two nice turkeys. Her dad, Brian Wooldridge, came with her. Michael PearceThe Wichita Eagle

Landowner Ramon Criss, of El Dorado, gets a hug from 12-year-old Sydney Wooldridge after she shot two nice turkeys on his property. He'd also given her a custom-made turkey call. Michael PearceThe Wichita Eagle

Since 2000, Mark Elliott, of Naples, Fla., has funded transportation and lodging for an essay winner to the Governor's Turkey Hunt in El Dorado. This year it was Sydney Wooldridge, 12, of Arizona. Michael PearceThe Wichita Eagle